LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The suspect at the center of what unfolded into a chaotic scene last week, which led to a police shooting and one person dead, was in court Tuesday morning as Nevada State Police held a press conference detailing the latest findings in the investigation.
WATCH | Col. Michael Edgell shares the latest on the incident:
Sean Shirazi, 45, is accused of driving through a crash scene on I-11 near downtown Las Vegas and hitting a responding state trooper before fleeing the scene on June 10.
1:35 p.m.
According to Col. Michael Edgell with NSP, authorities were dispatched to a crash on northbound I-11 at 1:35 p.m.
1:49 p.m.
At 1:49 p.m., a trooper observed a black Toyota 4Runner driving recklessly through traffic and approaching the crash scene. The trooper tells another trooper ahead that the car is approaching.
1:50 p.m.
Edgell said after Shirazi refused commands by troopers, he accelerated forward and pinned Trooper Dustin Dunbar between a firetruck and the 4Runner. According to NSP, Trooper Dunbar fired his gun six times.
2:38 p.m.
Shirazi's vehicle arrived at Dignity Health center in the area of Sahara Avenue and Decatur Boulevard, approximately 48 minutes after the shooting.
Edgell said troopers attempted to pursue Shirazi after the shooting but were unable to locate his vehicle. According to Edgell, Shirazi went to a residence and called a family member, stating "he had a deceased person in the vehicle."
WATCH | Jhovani Carrillo reported live from Dignity Health after the shooting:
State police played traffic camera video of Shirazi driving away and hitting another vehicle after the shooting. Authorities said Trooper Dunbar then fired an additional round in the direction of the 4Runner.
Shirazi, who police said was shot in the chest area, was taken into custody and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
A passenger in the vehicle during the incident, identified by the Clark County Coroner's Office as 40-year-old Corinne Barnes, died from her injuries after being shot in the "left flank rib cage area."
According to an arrest report for Shirazi, he stated to police that he picked the woman up on the street near the on-ramp to the freeway. According to police, Shirazi admitted to "snorting a little methamphetamine" with the female before getting on the freeway.
"Shirazi explained as he got onto the freeway, he observed a lot of traffic and saw police officers. He stated his sister had previously put out false allegations against him, so he had active warrants," the arrest report says.
Shirazi told police that he panicked because he did not want to go back to prison.
The troopers involved were placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation, which is being led by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Force Investigation Team.
In Trooper Sanders' interview with LVMPD, he stated that he "did not understand how the pressure of being between the two vehicles did not crush Trooper Dunbar."
"Trooper Sanders assumed that Trooper Dunbar thought he was going to die," the arrest report states. "Trooper Sanders stated if he was in Trooper Dunbar's position he 'would think it was all over.' Trooper Sanders confirmed he was '100% afraid for Trooper Dunbar's life.'"
During court on Tuesday, Shirazi was appointed a public defender for his case.
WATCH the full court hearing here:
Shirazi was initially facing a slew of charges, including involuntary manslaughter, battery, assault and reckless driving. Channel 13 has now learned that Shirazi's involuntary manslaughter charge was upgraded to 2nd degree murder.
Shirazi is set to return to court on July 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Edgell acknowledged the loss of life in the incident, saying that Barnes' death was a result of Shirazi's actions.
"She's in our thoughts. We feel terrible about this," Edgell said. "Everything that happened is a result of Mr. Shirazi running from the police because he was paranoid at the time. There were a series of unfortunate events that led to this and we're very sorry."
Edgell said since July 29, 2021, three state troopers out of the Las Vegas office have been killed by a vehicle.
"We are very aware of how dangerous a vehicle can be and we treat them all the same way," Edgell said. "That is why we take this so serious."
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